Air studies conducted on Marcellus Shale sites across Pennsylvania

HARRISBURG, Pa. — The Department of Environmental Protection released a report on a four-week air quality study conducted near Marcellus Shale natural gas operations in Susquehanna and Sullivan counties. “This short-term study of the air emissions at surveyed sites shows no emission levels that would constitute a concern to the health of residents living near

How can small businesses lure online shoppers?

LAMAR, Mo. – Shopping is shopping, right? Well, it depends on your generation. For baby boomers, shopping typically means driving to a store to buy what they want. A 20- or 30-something might boot up a computer rather than start a car. Kathy Macomber, business development specialist for University of Missouri Extension, says the way

GIPSA rule changes could devastate seedstock producers in cattle industry

Cattlemen plan to fight back against proposed GIPSA rule changes at annual roundup.

Wheat growers urged to use best choices to avoid another bad harvest

DELAWARE, Ohio — The 2010 wheat harvest in Ohio has been one of the worst on record in Ohio since 1996 with many elevators reporting high toxin levels of grain. Fusarium Head Blight (FHB, also called scab) is a serious disease of wheat that affects the entire wheat industry in Ohio, from growers to millers

Highland County deer is a new state record

DAYTON — The Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife said recently another record-setting deer has been harvested in southwestern Ohio.

The 18-point nontypical (nonsymmetrical antlered) deer, taken by Brian Stephens Nov. 30 with a muzzleloader in Highland County, was officially scored Jan. 30.

Run-in with wild hog underscores safety first

HAMPTON, Ark. — Jaret Rushing is taking some of his own advice these days, especially where ATV safety is concerned. Rushing, a Calhoun County extension agent for the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, spent the end of November nursing bruises, cuts and a pair of black eyes following an ATV accident that threw him

Planning for organic: Ohio State, OEFFA partner to teach beginning growers

WOOSTER, Ohio — Growers who wish to market their crops or produce as “certified organic” must first complete a detailed systems plan, and have it approved by their certifying agency. On Dec. 3, about 50 people from across Ohio and beyond gathered at Ohio State University’s Arden Shisler Center for Organics 201, a workshop introducing

I must vote no on Issue 2

Editor: Voters will decide whether or not to amend Ohio’s Constitution for the purpose of creating a 13-member Livestock Care Standards Board that will essentially govern every aspect of Ohio’s agriculture community where livestock is concerned. I must admit that having not been engaged actively in farming for some years, I really didn’t pay too

Cattlemen can cut costs with wise bull selections

When cattle producers experience difficult economic times, one of the first areas they look to reduce costs is bull purchases, but be sure buying a cheap bull now won’t cost you dearly in the future.

Conservation Stewardship Program begins continuous sign-ups

WASHINGTON — U.S. Department of Agriculture began continuous sign-up for the new Conservation Stewardship Program Aug. 10 with the first sign-up period cutoff scheduled for Sept. 30. Voluntary program Conservation Stewardship Program is a voluntary program that encourages agricultural and forestry producers to maintain existing conservation activities and adopt additional ones on their operations. The